LINEUP INCLUDES “EXTANT,” “UNDER THE DOME,” “ZOO,” “SCORPION” AND THE NEW DRAMA “LIMITLESS”

PLUS, THE EXCLUSIVE UNVEILING OF THE “SCORPION” COMIC BOOK AND SURPRISES YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

WILLIAM SHATNER WILL MAKE A SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE AND READ EXCERPTS FROM “THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JAMES T. KIRK”

LOS ANGELES – June 18, 2015 – CBS Television Studios invites you to envision a life without limits, to imagine a world taken over by violent animals, to trust the future of mankind in the hands of one woman (Halle Berry!), to join Team Scorpion and to catch up with life under the dome at Comic-Con 2015 on Thursday, July 9 (10:45 AM-3:30 PM) in Ballroom 20. The events of the day will include an exclusive premiere screening of the highly anticipated new CBS series LIMITLESS, a special sneak peek at the newest summer event series, ZOO, and a look at what’s ahead for the hit returning series SCORPION, EXTANT and UNDER THE DOME. The day will kick off with a special reading of The Autobiography of James T. Kirk by Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, presented by CBS Consumer Products.

Thursday, July 9:

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JAMES T. KIRK (Ballroom 20) #KirkReturns #SDCC

William Shatner (“Star Trek: The Original Series”) will make a special guest appearance and read excerpts from The Autobiography of James T. Kirk, as James T. Kirk himself. This in-world memoir chronicles the greatest Starfleet captain’s life, from his boyhood on an Iowa farm and his youth spent on Tarsus IV, to his time in Starfleet Academy, his meteoric rise through the ranks of Starfleet and his illustrious career at the helm of the Enterprise. David Goodman (author, former “Family Guy” executive producer) will moderate and advance copies of the book are available at the Titan Booth.

Exclusive Sneak Peek & Panel – Academy Award winner Halle Berry (“X-Men”) returns to Comic-Con with her new co-star, Jeffrey Dean Morgan (“Watchmen”), for a panel discussion and an exclusive tease of the mystery summer thriller series, back for its second season with higher stakes and new faces. When Molly Woods discovers she has unwittingly put the human race on a path to destruction, she and a mysterious stranger may be the only hope for survival. A glimpse at what’s to come in Season 2, followed by a panel discussion with cast members, executive producer Craig Shapiro and executive producer/creator Mickey Fisher. The panel discussion will be moderated by Chris Hardwick, comedian and host of @midnight.

Exclusive Sneak Peek & Panel – It has been weeks since the dome descended upon Chester’s Mill with Barbie and the residents of Chester’s Mill being urged to follow Melanie “home.” Season 3 will pick up where Season 2 left off, and the community will rise to new heights of ingenuity, courage and often darkness in their quest for freedom. There will be new faces, new alliances and betrayal of trust as residents learn what you “see” may not always be the truth, and that the real enemy is within. Join series stars (subject to availability) Mike Vogel (“Bates Motel”), Rachelle Lefevre, special guest star Marg Helgenberger (CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION) and executive producers Neal Baerand Tim Schlattmann for an exclusive look at the new season, followed by a panel discussion. The panel discussion will be moderated by Michael Yo, correspondent on THE INSIDER.

Exclusive Sneak Peek & Panel – The wild shall inherit the Earth in ZOO, CBS’s newest summer event series, based on the #1 bestselling novel by James Patterson. ZOO is a global thriller about a wave of violent animal attacks against humans that are sweeping the planet. The series spans eight countries and features real lions, tigers, bears and more. Join series stars James Wolk (“Mad Men”), Kristen Connolly (“Cabin in the Woods”), Billy Burke (“Revolution”),Nora Arnezeder (“Safe House”) and executive producers Jeff Pinkner (“Fringe”) and Josh Appelbaum (“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”) for an exclusive sneak peek of the first season, followed by a panel discussion. The panel discussion will be moderated by Kevin Frazier, co-host of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT.

Exclusive Premiere Screening & Panel – Picking up where the hit feature film left off, LIMITLESS follows Brian Finch (Jake McDorman) as he discovers the power of the brain-boosting drug NZT. From executive producer Bradley Cooper, the fast-paced drama will explore what happens when there are no limits to man’s potential, as Finch is coerced by the FBI to use his newfound extraordinary abilities for good. The exclusive screening of the pilot episode will be followed by a panel discussion with series stars Jake McDorman (“American Sniper”) and Hill Harper (“CSI: NY”), with director Marc Webb (“The Amazing Spider-Man” series) and executive producers Craig Sweeny, Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin. Moderator TBD.

Exclusive Sneak Peek & Panel – CBS’s high-octane breakout hit about a team of brilliant misfits who use their smarts to solve the nation’s crises while helping each other fit in returns to Comic-Con. Team Scorpion will unveil an exclusive sizzle reel highlighting all of the best action scenes and fan-favorite moments from the first season. Fans will have the chance to hear firsthand about what’s ahead in season 2 and discuss the series with stars (subject to availability) Elyes Gabel (“World War Z”), Robert Patrick (“Terminator 2”), Katharine McPhee (“Smash”), Eddie Kaye Thomas (“American Pie”), Jadyn Wong (“Broken Trail”), Ari Stidham (“Huge”) and executive producer Nicholas Wootton. The panel discussion will be moderated by Ben Blacker, writer with Nerdist.com.

William Shatner hosts an evening with the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation including Patrick Stewart, Levar Burton, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, Denise Crosby, and John de Lancie at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 7:30 PM! *Note: Cast members may be subject to change

MINNEAPOLIS, March 11, 2014 – William Shatner (“Star Trek,” “T.J. Hooker”), Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, Rudy), Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Manu Bennett (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Arrow), Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid, My Cousin Vinny), Gilbert Gottfried (Problem Child, Beverly Hills Cop II) and Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Stars Earn Stripes”) are among the celebrities scheduled to attend the inaugural Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con, May 2-4 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.It is the 6th of 16 events scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known comics artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions.

Shatner will appear on Friday and Saturday, May 2-3; Astin will attend on Saturday and Sunday; the others are scheduled for all three days.

A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place all three days at the event, with celebrity Q&A’s, the Wizard World Film Festival, comics-themed sessions, costume contest, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Sunday, May 4, is also Kids Day, with an array of activities and programming specially designed for the younger Wizard World fans.

Minneapolis Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor, often stopping by the Show Stage, the ideal place to see and be seen.

The Mad Monster Party returned to Charlotte this weekend, March 21-23, 2014, by far their biggest effort yet. This was the third year for the convention that celebrates everything from old school Twilight Zone to A House of 1,000 Corpses, and everything in between. In fact, where else could you find Leatherface himself, RA Mihailoff reciting the Bard with Shakespeare Carolina, while music legends The Misfits looked on? It was truly a bizarre weekend.

I had the great fortune to be invited by local independent film makers, Long Walk Productions, to hang with them at their vendor booth for the convention. This meant that my time was split between working the Con and also enjoying it from a visitor’s perspective. It’s interesting to see things from both sides of the house, especially if you want a clear impression of what is really going on around you. It’s always a good thing, unless of course you are reviewing a restaurant. In that case, I assure you…stay out of the kitchen.

The Mad Monster Party (MMP) was set up between two large ballrooms at the University Place Hilton in Charlotte. The hotel is situated by a small lake, amongst many shops and restaurants all connected by small footbridge. Parking was a little tricky, but almost always is at events such as these. MMP utilized every bit of space that they could, lining the hallways of the hotel with various vendor booths and installing a gala tent in the parking lot. Everywhere you turned, strange collectibles and stars of the macabre awaited. Upon set up Friday, it seemed as though everything was planned to perfection. Little did I know how busy things were in the lobby with people trying to get through Will Call with their pre-paid ticket receipts.

And then, of course, came Saturday. Saturdays are notorious for being the busiest convention day because that’s when most people are able to attend. It became evident quickly that the volunteer staff was not prepared to handle the situation. Social media began to explode with posts citing excessively long lines and ticketing issues among other things. Television and film star John Schneider, who was there to do a special screening of his new film Smothered, remained positive as he told me, “We had a good turnout [for the screening] but I wouldn’t do it on a Friday night again, because I’ve had a bunch of people say that they couldn’t get in last night because in order to see Smothered, they had to get in here first. And the line was too long, so by the time they got their ticket, Smothered was either already started or over.” Aside from that snafu, Schneider seemed rather pleased with the rest of MMP.

That seemed to be the consensus all around. Nightmare on Elm Street’s Heather Langenkamp, commenting on the amount of people waiting in line to meet her, “It’s something like I have never experienced.” For the most part, vendors and celebrities were easily accessible, with no more than a 10 minute wait at any given time. But as Saturday progressed, maneuverability waned. Table lines grew wildly, specifically for William Shatner, Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson, and Corey Feldman. Traffic flow to the tables was not designated prior, so fans were coming at them from all sides. It was a complete cluster. Finally, someone had the sense to put some silver duct tape on the floor in front of Elvira’s table to split the flow of traffic in either direction. Feldman told me, “I think it’s [MMP] great, you know. It’s probably the biggest one I’ve seen outside of [San Diego] Comic Con, that would be my guess.”

Joe Moe, one of the three event organizers, was on hand throughout the weekend, talking to vendors, guests, and overseeing things first hand. I witnessed him assess a pedestrian traffic jam and quickly remedy the situation by addressing volunteer staff and guests. Having been on the working side of conventions before, I know how overwhelming things can become. Moe, always with a smile on his face, took it all in stride. “We’re having some growing pains, yes. Ballpark, it looks like we’re on track with 4-5,ooo in attendance, which is what we had hoped for.” Moe also made sure to respond to comments on social media outlets throughout the weekend, which were not always positive, and address concerns in the best way that he could. “We’re really responsive to fans.”

Many of those fans had some downright horrible things to say in their posts. This is the first time that I have seen that level of response to a convention. Sure, I had issues with the event. For starters, the power went off twice in the ballroom leaving everyone in the dark for a few moments. The A/C was all but non-existent. There wasn’t enough signage or a proper map laid out in their pamphlets to let guests know which celebs were in which ballroom, or to provide the location of any special panels (the tent in the parking lot, in case you were wondering). One of the actors, I won’t name names, bumped into me at a water cooler. “I ain’t seen a staff member in hours.” He’d had to abandon his autograph table in order to get a drink of water because volunteers all but disappeared the more chaotic the crowd became. There were so many things that I witnessed–again, as both vendor and guest–that I would have done differently.

Certainly, there were cases where the venting was called for. If I’d pre-purchased tickets and still been subjected to a 3.5hr line to hand in the receipt, I would have been pissed! If my car had been lost by the valet (yes, that happened) the whole world would have known about it. But, the majority of the complaints were, in my opinion, blown out of proportion. I don’t know anything about this Joe Moe or his colleagues. But what I do know, is that someone who is a fanboy at heart, got the idea to start a convention. A party by the fans for the fans. For everything that was wrong, so much of the weekend was right. Even Disney World gave me a headache (fast-pass my behind). But it was still one of the greatest vacations of my life.

That being said, let’s consider the rest of MMP, shall we? One minute I’m discussing special effects make-up with the great Tom Savini, and the next, I’m cracking jokes with the likes of Richard Kiel and Dick Miller. There was a panel between WWF (yeah…I said it) legends Rowdy Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan. Henry “the Fonz” Winkler was showing off children’s books. Cherie Currie was chatting me up on the history of rock legends the Runaways. Corey Feldman used my cell phone. Megan Grant, a licensed cosmetologist and entrepreneur, was set up with her Get Dead Crew, providing air-brush and prosthetics to people, literally turning them into monsters on site. There was karaoke in the hotel bar Saturday night. I laid down the boogie and played that funky music til they died. Or at least until the Misfits’ Dr. Chud cracked up laughing at me. The highlight of my weekend at MMP was Saturday night at midnight, when an estimated 1,000 guests piled into the gala tent to watch a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, featuring a spectacular shadow-cast troupe called That Type from Charlotte’s Cinebarre, and featuring the film’s stars Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn and “Little” Nell Campbell. RHPS historian, Larry Vizel was on hand to film and conduct interviews for the upcoming 40th anniversary documentary Rocky Horror Saved My Life. It was an historical evening. In her second year attending with her family, Roseana Matthews found a “Golden Ticket” in the “Monsta Bar” she had purchased. The chocolates were a monster mock up of the famous Wonka Bar, with 6 lucky winners being upgraded to RIP status.

I guess the point that I’m trying to make, is that people need to lighten up. Unless something truly horrible happened to you or someone you care about as a direct result of something at a convention, you’re problem isn’t as big as you’re making it out to be. MMP is, as Moe said, experiencing growing pains. In 3 short years, the event has grown exponentially. Given their celebrity guest list, perhaps they should have considered a different venue. This is an event that is convention center worthy, crammed into a hotel. In order to make up for the overcrowding (which, according to local news, had the attention of the Fire Marshall), organizers will need to carefully consider where they set up next year. Or at least, reconsider the amount of vendors in the halls (many in wheelchairs had difficulties navigating) or alter the layout. Volunteer staff could be better trained. But this is how it is done, honestly, trial and error. As an event organizer, you try to prepare for every possible scenario you can imagine and you train your staff based on that. Without fail, something unexpected will always crop up; being short handed, celebs that cancel, ticketing issues, photo-op issues, and so forth. Conventions should be looked at as viable organisms, growing and changing and evolving. They will never be able to please all fans all the time. But they will certainly try. Year to year, they’ll try.

And it’s important for MMP to learn from their mistakes and move forward a little more prepared next year. For every celebrity guest I interviewed raved about how much fun they were having and how they couldn’t wait to come back. Celebrating all that scares us excites our film heroes, too. “Your first scare is the most important one you have,” said Langenkamp, admitting that the Flying Monkeys from the Wizard of Oz is what started it all for her. Dick Miller laughed, “I’ve very rarely been scared by movies…except for something Shirley Temple did.” Barry Bostwick had other ideas, “You wanna know why I do this? I do this to talk to lovely people like you and to oogle the girls. I just sit here and watch the girls go by.” Thanks, Barry.

All in all, in spite of a few hiccups–some preventable, some not–I think Mad Monster Party was a huge success. It is a relaxed environment where you get to hang out with the celebrities, rather than being separated from them like at some other conventions. Between the few panels that they had, the movie screenings, and the Rocky Horror reunion, it was definitely worth the ticket price for anyone who attended. Even though I did my fair share of mumbling and complaining throughout the weekend, I will admit, as a fan I am grateful an event such as this has been put together. I hope that, in time, other fans will learn to appreciate what all goes into putting on an event of this size and what they got to experience over all. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2015 brings for the Mad Monster Party!

Planet Comicon 2014 will have more programming than ever before, with five rooms of events stretching over three days. This schedule is presented for your convenience. All events, panelists, and other details are subject to change.

Friday, March 14

3:00 – 3:50 PM

Margot Kidder: Superman’s Lois Lane! Margot Kidder is most famous for her acclaimed performance as Lois Lane in four Superman films. ROOM 3501 (Upper level)

Webcomics: Inside Out Who needs ink on paper? Join a discussion of what it takes to create comics magic on the web. ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

4:00 – 4:50 PM

Michael Dorn & Marina Sirtis: ST:TNG’s Klingon and Betazoid stars take the stage to take you behind the scenes of one of the greatest science fiction series in history.ROOM 3501 (Upper level)

Craft Your Fandom: Cosplay from Concept to Completion: Join leading cosplay and prop-builder experts in a look at where to start making your favorite prop or costume. Featuring Abby DarkStar, Zen Dragon, and more to be announced. ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Vampires Don’t Sparkle: That’s right…we said it! We want our meat eating, sunlight obliterating, butt-ugly vampires back! Bram Stoker would be doing cartwheels in his grave is he saw what vampires have become. We are taking it back, today!!! ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

Visual Storytelling Success: Artists discuss their approach to creating comics that tells the story and engages the reader. ROOM 2504 (Lower level)

Kansas City Comics Creators:Kansas City has one of the most vibrant communities of comics creators. Jason Aaron and Ande Parks lead a panel of the local talent. ROOM 2505 (Lower level)

Saturday, March 15

11:00 – 11:50 AM

Wil Wheaton:He’s back! One of Planet Comicon’s favorite guests has returned. You know him from ST:TNG, The Big Bang Theory, Stand By Me, and much more. – ROOM 3501 (Upper level)

Bad Karma: Bad Karma is a creative collective, whose members include Alex Grecian, Jeremy Haun, B. Clay Moore, and Seth Peck. Their first joint project was Bad Karma Volume One featuring five original, creator owned concepts in self-contained stories. Meet the creators and listen as they answer questions about the Kickstarter process, the concept behind the book and what’s next for Bad Karma. ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Khemia Creations: The Art of Stage Combat: Come join Khemia Creations as we display a series of stage combat sketches that can be easily adapted into stage or video skits! After each showcase fight, a thorough dissection of the combat choreography will be given so that you can learn how it’s done. ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

Noon – 12:50 PM

Sexuality in Cosplay: A frank discussion of the role of sexuality in cosplay featuring prominent cosplay personalities. May not be suitable for all audiences. Parental guidance suggested. ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Comic Geeks – A Web Series – A screening of the Comic Geeks pilot, a new series debuting in 2014. The story follows three friends at various stages of comic geekery: Dan, the die-hard weekly shopper, Jeff, the indie-only cartoonist, and Brian, who struggles with reading comics and acting like an adult. Together, the three try to figure out what makes a comic geek, and how to be an adult doing it. ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

Crowdfunding – Kickstarter. Indygogo. Rockethub. What’s crowdfunding all about? How can creators like you use it to feed their creativity – any maybe event their families? ROOM 2504 (Lower level)

Marvel: Your Universe – What’s happening now and next from Mighty Marvel? Leading Marvel creators take the stage. Featuring a roster of Marvel creators including Jason Aaron. Moderated by Marvel’s V.P. of Creator Development, C.B. Cebulski. ROOM 2505 (Lower level)

The Last Ride of Lee Salem, Editor of Calvin and Hobbes – Enjoy a Q & A with Lee Salem, the man who edited Calvin and Hobbes, For Better or For Worse, Doonesbury, The Far Side, Cathy, FoxTrot, The Boondocks, Cul De Sac, Lio and dozens of other comics. The industry icon is transitioning to the role of President Emeritus of Universal Uclick as of March 2014. He has a wealth of experience and stories that any comics fan and creator will find enlightening. Joining him will be those influenced by his work in the comics industry including Bill Amend, creator of Foxtrot. Plus, a there will be a reading of statements regarding his work provided by Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Jan Eliot (Stone Soup), Richard Thompson (Cul De Sac) and Mark Tatulli (Lio). ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Zero Budget Filmmaking – The internationally awarded Brass Engine Productions team will give you tips and tricks to make your film or series without spending a lot of cash. Come and get a Q&A with Director Ben Watkins, and watch clips from the production’s web series and other projects done on a shoestring budget. – ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

Researching Comics with the Grand Comics Database – Dive deep into comics and comics history! Leading members of the Grand Comics Database community will be discussing a bit of the history of the GCD and its roots in the early days of internet comics fandom, along with its current status and abilities in helping people research various comic books and comic book creators. – ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Charlton Arrow – From the 40s thru the 80s, Charlton was the “other” comics publisher of mystery, romance, and superhero titles. Join Paul Kupperberg and Rick Stasi, two of the creators of Charlton Arrow, for a trip down memory lane and an introduction to their new comics zine that celebrate some of Charlton’s lesser known creations. – ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

Breaking into Comics– How do you become a professional comic book or comic strip creator? Join a panel of editors who specialize in spotting new talent: C.B. Cebulski (VP of Creator Development at Marvel), Shena Wolf (Acquisitions Editor and Universal Uclick), and Joe Rybandt (Editor at Dynamite Entertaintment). – ROOM 2504 (Lower level)

John Ratzenberger: He may be most famous as Cliff Clavin from Cheers, but John Ratzenberger‘s nerd movie cred is truly amazing. “It’s a little known fact” that his filmography includes Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Superman: The Movie, Superman II, and every single Pixar movie ever made! – ROOM 2505 (Lower Level)

4:00 – 4:50 PM

Heroic Prose: Genre Fiction – Kings of the Keyboard and Princesses of Prose! A panel of prodigious purveyors of thrilling novels and short fiction reveal the stories behind their stories. – ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

5:00 PM until who knows when!

Sunday, March 16th

11:00 – 11:50 AM

Femi Taylor: The delightful Femi Taylor is best known for playing Jabba the Hutt’s Twi’lek slave dancer Oola in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. She is a Nigerian-born British dancer and actress who spent years training with the London Contemporary Dance Company and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. In addition to RotJ, she appeared in the original London cast of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical Cats! – ROOM 3501 (Upper level)

DC Universe: Best of the Best – A celebration of the best of DC Comics through the years, from the Golden Age to today. Join leading creators for a discussion of the DC Comics that inspired them! Moderated by long-time DC editor and writer Paul Kupperberg. – ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Karate Chopping Robots & Killer Carnies: The Art and Science of Digital Comics and Games – Mobile-based comics and games are transforming the entertainment industry. Indie game and comic developers have more opportunity than ever before to make their mark and create some major waves. Join Kung Fu Robot creator Jason Bays and Burn the Lot co-creator Cameron Calder as they share their experiences in mobile-based interactive comic and game development. From concept to development to launch and beyond, these Kansas City-area veterans will offer their unique perspective to this exciting and ever-changing scene. – ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

Noon – 12:50 PM

David Yost – The Blue Power Ranger has arrived! David Yost played Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger, on the international television series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, and the film Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: the Movie. – ROOM 3501 (Upper level)

Timey Wimey Puppet Show – Direct from the YouTube web series and packed appearances at DragonCon and Gallifrey One, we’re pleased to present this family-friend Punch-and-Judy-inspired Doctor Who comedy puppet show. The show is for all ages! – ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Khemia Creations: Cosplay Photography and Modeling – Whether you’re in front of behind the camera, this is the panel for you! We will be discussing techniques on how to make your cosplay photography go from a snapshot to a work of art! For those with camera in hand, we’ll tell you how to make the most of your environments, angles, and lighting to ensure you can capture the best images at every convention. For those wanting to show off their costume creations, we’ll give beginner modeling tips to offer your best side to camera every time! – ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

So you want to build an R2 Unit– Come join us for the in’s and out’s of building your own R2D2 or other Astromech droid. We will give you an idea of what it skills are needed, and the resources available to help you on your journey. – ROOM 2504 (Lower level)

Eddie McClintock: Eddie McClintock is best-known for his role as Secret Service agent Pete Lattimer on the Syfy series Warehouse 13. But, the actor is also an artist, who was inspired to purse his passion by comic books. He says, “It all started with Herb Trimpe andThe Incredible Hulk.” Now is your chance to meet Pete Lattimer and learn the answers to your Eddie McClintock questions. – ROOM 2505 (Lower Level)

1:00 – 1:50 PM

Lee Majors:The Six Million Dollar Man – An actor of international importance, Lee Majors has continually proven himself to be a favorite of audiences worldwide. Lee Majors’ performances and personas have made an indelible impact on television programs. From his initial role of Heath Barkley on The Big Valley to the Men From Shilo to Owen Marshall Counselor at Law to The Fall Guy and Raven. It was his starring role as Steve Austin on the overwhelmingly popular The Six Million Dollar Man that Lee became an icon and part of the American culture. – ROOM 3501 (Upper level)

How To Market Comic Strips Today – In previous decades, comic strips were the delicious and funny center of a reader’s daily dose of communication, placed in the middle of their newspapers and hearts. Today, comic strips and webcomics have enjoyed a strong renaissance in pop culture. How has this happened; how are cartoonists sharing their art and stories today? This panel will share the wide experiences of print, syndicated and web cartoonists alike. From viral marketing, presences at events such as San Diego Comic Con and Planet ComiCon, social media outreach, tours and more, we’ll hear from some of the engaging storytellers that are creating today. – ROOM 2502 (Lower level)

Star Wars in American Culture – Explore the influences and impact of the single most important film of the twentieth century. We will take a look at the many ways this pop culture phenomenon connects to our everyday lives. Presented by Dr. Bradley Will, Dr. Stephen Schleicher, and Dr. Scott Robson of Fort Hays State University. – ROOM 2503 (Lower level)

For the Love of Comics – What do you love about comics? Today’s top creators, including Jason Aaron, discuss the comics they love the most. Moderated by C.B. Cebulski. – ROOM 2505 (Lower level)

2:00 – 2:50 PM

Concept Design for Comic Books– Comic and concept artist Steven Sanders has designed a number of characters and locations for Marvel Entertainment, among other companies. Using examples from Marvel, he’ll explain how concept design in comics is different than concept design in video games or film, and will show what is needed to make good designs for comics. – ROOM 2502 (Lower Level)

50 Years of GI Joe – the first action figure – A history of GI Joe, the world’s first action figure, from its beginnings 50 years ago in 1964, to the present day. We will discuss the evolution of the brand from a 12 inch everyman solider to a modern team of hundreds of small action figures, as well as several odd and interesting detours and off-shoots along the way. We also will cover the brand’s current fandom, including online resources and fan projects. – ROOM 2503 (Lower Level)

DMC: Comics and Hip Hop – As a founder of Run-D.M.C., Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is a pioneer of hip hop culture. Now he’s turned his creative passion to comics! Already a hero to his millions of fans around the world, DMC’s accomplishments read like a laundry list of musical and cultural accolades: Grammy nominated musician, multi-platinum recording artist, Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame inductee and rap/rock pioneer who’s influenced music since the first time he’s ever touched a mic. Adding to his long lists of firsts, DMC is teaming up with some prominent fixtures in the comic book and music world to craft the first 100% authentic, unapologetic, indie, hip hop comic book. – ROOM 2505 (Lower level)

SACRAMENTO, Calif., February 25, 2014 – Question-and-answer sessions with top celebrities like Chris Hemsworth, Bruce Campbell, WWE® Superstar Sheamus®, Julie Benz and Stan Lee, meet-and-greets, adult and kids costume contests, a screening of the new CW series “The 100,” historical discussions on comics and video games, a film festival and an array of comics and pop culture themed panels comprise the robust featured programming schedule at Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con, March 7-9 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission.

Kids Day (Sunday), with an array of kids and family activities designed just for the younger set, highlighted by the Green Ranger Power Hour with Jason David Frank (2 p.m.)

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms at the Sacramento Convention Center. VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted.

Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first served basis. We do not clear panel rooms unless you are seated in a section that is marked with a sign at the end of the row reading: ROW WILL BE CLEARED AT THE END OF EACH PANEL

A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place all three days at the event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contest, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Sunday, March 9, is also Kids Day, with an array of activities and programming specially designed for the younger Wizard World fans.

Sacramento Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor, often stopping by the Cosplay Stage, the ideal place to see and be seen.

Planet Comicon 2014 has released the initial schedule for panel events. This schedule focuses on event featuring media guests, including performers from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Wars, Firefly, and more.

We will be updating the schedule with additional panels and events as soon as details are confirmed.

PORTLAND, Ore., January 14, 2014 – Question-and-answer sessions with top celebrities like Stan Lee, Bruce Campbell, William Shatner and WWE® Superstar CM Punk®, meet-and-greets, adult and kids costume contests, film festival and an array of comics and pop culture themed panels comprise the robust featured programming schedule at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, Jan. 24-26 at the Oregon Convention Center. Most programming is included as part of the standard event admission.

Kids Day (Sunday), with an array of kids and family activities designed just for the younger set

Unless noted, programming events take place in the designated General Programming Rooms at the Oregon Convention Center. VIP tickets or additional costs may apply to ensure access to select activities, as noted.

Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first served basis. We do not clear panel rooms unless you are seated in a section that is marked with a sign at the end of the row reading: ROW WILL BE CLEARED AT THE END OF EACH PANEL

Portland Comic Con is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor, often stopping by the Cosplay Stage, the ideal place to see and be seen.

Planet Comicon is thrilled to announce a special Sunday-only appearance of William Shatner. He will be available on a limited schedule for photos and autographs on March 16, 2014 only.

Mr. Shatner became an entertainment legend as Star Trek’s Captain James T. Kirk, leading the U.S.S. Enterprise through its original television run and seven blockbuster films. The winner of two Emmy awards, he has starred on series including Boston Legal, Rescue 911, and TJ Hooker.

He has also written dozens of fiction and non-fiction books including ten Star Trek novels, his own TekWar series, and memoirs including Star Trek Memories, Up Till Now: The Autobiography, and Shatner Rules. He has appeared documentaries related to Star Trek, including How William Shatner Changed the World and The Captains.

Meet the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation on stage together… moderated by living legend William Shatner!

Join us for a Star Trek: The Next Generation cast reunion plus special guest moderator, William Shatner. Six ST:TNG cast members will join the Mr. Shatner on stage Sunday, March 16, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Planet Comicon in the Kansas City Convention Center.

LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Brent Spiner will appear for an insightful 90-minute conversation led by master of ceremonies William Shatner. The actors will explore the essence of what made this amazing cast one of the most loved in the history of television and film.

Prepare to laugh the evening away, as these cast members have remained best friends and love to make fun as they reveal memorable stories about themselves and each other. Mr. Shatner — along with the audience — will pose no-holds-barred questions during a casual 90-minute event. It may be explosive, it may be tearful, but it will unquestionably be lots of laughs.

This event will require separate tickets, and many admission levels will include special bonus perks. More information about ticket packages will be announced shortly. Tickets for the Planet Comicon Trek-tacular will be available online beginning January 22nd. Seating is limited, so be prepared to purchase your tickets early. See you there!